About

Director, School of Information at the University of Arizona, Bryan Heidorn

The ever-increasing pace of technological innovation requires a more information-savvy workforce that understands not only the how, what, where, when, and why of technology and data, but how to apply that knowledge. At the University of Arizona’s new School of Information we have faculty and students engaged in research and education around all aspects of the information sciences without regard for disciplinary boundaries. We do research in: artificial intelligence; data management and curation; computer vision; computer-mediated communication and learning; natural language processing; social networking; human computer interfaces; dark networks; computational art creation; eCommerce, eGovernment, and eHealth; computational music; library sciences; educational and entertainment technologies; and much more.

The School of Information at U.A. offers six academic programs along with a number of certificates in such areas as digital information, law librarianship, and medical/community health information. In our long-standing PhD and MA programs, as well as in our new MS in Information program, our students work during their studies and as graduates in a variety of settings to include museums, health contexts, for-profit business settings, community or organizational libraries, as well as contexts relative to defense and intelligence operations. Our undergraduate students currently work in or graduate to become specialists in information management, data analysis, social media marketing, web design, and public relations. We are preparing our graduates across disciplines to be doers, thinkers, solvers, and game-changers.

We offer programs that have have thrived for decades while also providing students new curricular options. We are already highly ranked nationally, but our goal is to expand access for Arizona residents along with other national and international students. Through teaching, research, and service we aspire to be among the top iSchools in the world.

Mission Statement

As Arizona's iSchool, we collaborate across disciplines, drive critical research and development, and educate the information intellectuals and professionals of tomorrow to further positive social change that is rooted in the places where we live and that impacts the world.

Vision Statement

The University of Arizona School of Information is Arizona's iSchool; we are committed to advancing the field of Information in the 21st century through critical inquiry, inspiring education, and interdisciplinary service.

We work at the intersections of people, information, and technologies. Our school deepens these intersections through attention to lands, societies, and knowledge systems within and beyond the Southwest borderlands in which we work, with cognizance of our responsibilities as members of the global community and the inherent subjectivities tied to being human in today’s information age and digital culture. We engage with diverse partners around the globe breaking social and technical barriers to contribute to the flourishing of individuals and their communities.

We are makers, theorists, information providers, computing experts, archivists, librarians, communicators, problem-solvers, scientists, and more. We are committed to equity based on sex, gender, race/ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion, ability, and other human dimensions. Our staff and faculty work together while inviting others—especially those previously excluded from these kinds of activities—to join us.